‘The Avengers’ reunite for the Oscars

Movie Talk

Mark DemingFebruary 8, 2013

Photo: Disney

“The Avengers” isn’t going to be much of a presence at the 2013 Academy Awards – the movie received just one nomination, for Best Visual Effects. But that doesn’t mean last year’s biggest blockbuster won’t be getting some love on the upcoming Oscar telecast.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of this year’s Academy Award show, have announced that five of the stars of “The Avengers” will be presenting as a team. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo will be joining forces to defend justice and hand out some statuettes.

In a press statement, Zadan and Meron said, “We are happy to re-unite the ‘Avengers’ cast to present on our show. Audiences who enjoyed the year's biggest box office hit will be excited to see these terrific actors back together again.”

While Iron Man, Captain America, Nick Fury, Hawkeye, and The Hulk will be on hand, a few members of the crime-fighting crew will not.

Scarlett Johansson (aka “Black Widow” or “The Hot Avenger”) will be busy appearing in the current Broadway revival of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof,” while Chris Hemsworth’s absence can probably be chalked up to the hectic shooting schedule for “Thor 2.”

Though the assembled Avengers won’t be getting any Oscars for their work in the movie, Samuel L. Jackson will be stressing over the contents of one particular envelope, as he’s nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in “Django Unchained.” And several of his pals have their own Academy Award memories. Downey has been nominated twice, for “Chaplin” (1992) and “Tropic Thunder” (2008), while Renner was nominated in 2008 for “The Hurt Locker” and 2010 for “The Town,” and Ruffalo made the short list for 2010’s “The Kids Are Alright.”